Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby is poised for a breakout in the NBA bubble

Toronto Raptors’ OG Anunoby is poised to breakout

Toronto Raptors‘ forward OG Anunoby is an interesting individual, to say the least, but his production on the court cannot be doubted, as he will be a key contributor for the team going into the NBA Restart.

The Raptors’ wing is a versatile weapon, as he can hit 3-point shots, attack the basket and play hard-nosed gritty defense. If he can strengthen these attributes, while also sprinkling in a couple more skills, we could see his game elevate to a high-level for the Raptors.

Anunoby has had a good year shooting the ball from deep (38.1 percent), as defenders need to stay out on him, which in turn has helped create driving lanes for players like Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell to attack.

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A large portion of Anunoby’s 3-point attempts has come from the corners. Head coach Nick Nurse seems to have placed Anunoby in these spots in order to cater to his players’ best attributes, as these areas are great spots for a kick-out and a shot, a kick-out and drive, or, to dart inside for a sneaky back door play.

Anunoby will be depended on heavily during the Toronto Raptors’ time in Disney

Anunoby, through Josh Lewenberg of TSN, recently discussed how he has been working diligently on his ball-handling during quarantine once the team was able to practice. This work has paid off so far during the scrimmages in Orlando, as Anunoby has displayed more composure with the ball in his hands while having a defender on his hip.

The growth in ball-handling has helped OG on drives to the basket, as his eyes are able to monitor the defense and react accordingly, helping him be more in control on these drives. OG was already fair at attacking the paint when he got the opportunity and has had a good year finishing around the rim (0.68 percent, respectively).

OG’s 1.6 assists per game definitely don’t jump off the page, though he has shown signs of nifty playmaking and correct passing reads prior to the stoppage of the season and during the bubble scrimmages. Anunoby has improved his awareness of defensive shifts and accordingly finds his teammates on the weak side with a skip pass. He has also improved at maneuvering quick dump-off passes to a big in the paint, or a cutter coming through the lane.

Anunoby is a stud defensively, as his size and length disrupt offensive players into bad shots or turnovers. He possesses great defensive intangibles (along with big hands and long arms) that give him the ability to pick cross-court passes and steals off of entries into the paint. He is quick enough to hang with guards and maintains a solid base while shadowing other forwards, the occasional big on a switch, or if the Raptors use a smaller lineup with him as the center.

OG Anunoby still has plenty of growth to go, but inklings have shown positive thought of a great player in the future.

The restart, especially the playoffs, will be good grounds to see if Anunoby’s development continues, as well as a gage to see how he fairs against tougher competition under pressure.